Natural Resources Wales / Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru employ around 1,900 people in locations throughout Wales. Our employees include scientists, engineers, foresters, environmental managers and recreation and education experts. We work with local communities and organisations to improve and protect the natural environment in Wales.

Role Purpose 

This post is responsible for providing advice and guidance in relation to potential air quality impacts on our most important sites of nature conservation. You will work closely with the planning and permitting services, as well as our local place operations teams throughout Wales. You will also work closely with colleagues from our evidence teams and external partners, in helping inform relevant areas of policy and guidance.

The post currently sits in our SW People and Places Team, but location is flexible across Wales.  Our People and Places Teams provide an “intelligence hub” to inform the delivery of sustainable management of natural resources within the place. Their role is to facilitate the setting and joining up operational priorities and delivery agendas (internal and external). The post-holder will be expected to input into the further development of the Area Statements, to ensure that they appropriately represent the opportunities and challenges associated with air quality and ecosystem resilience; work with stakeholders on relevant matters as well as help develop partnership approaches.

The successful candidate will likely be an ecologist or have a conservation background, with demonstrable experience in:-

• air quality impacts on terrestrial ecosystems
• impact assessment methods (e.g. environmental assessment levels, critical levels/loads, guidance)
• interpretation of data and information
• relevant legislation (habitats regulations, EIA, EPR, town and country planning)
• air quality issues in Wales and more widely the UK

We’d also be open to applicants from an air quality background, but interested in applying that knowledge in an ecological context.

Qualifications and Skills

1. Excellent skills in engagement, influencing, developing innovative approaches to complex problems.
2. Excellent at building effective working relationship with colleagues and partners. 
3. Significant knowledge of the requirements of environmental legislation relating to the place remit.
4. You will have specialist knowledge of one or more technical areas of the team’s remit, but including: •    Conservation of Protected sites & landscapes, National Nature Reserves planning.•    Air quality impact assessment.
5. Ability to assess multiple, complex, sources of information and engage others in making good decisions.    
6. Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with a customer focus.
7. Experience of negotiating with senior managers.
8. Experience of influencing at senior level of organisations. 
9. Excellent at building effective working relationship with colleagues and partners. 
10. Excellent organisational skills.

Benefits: Civil Service pension, 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days over 5 years, flexible working options, occupational health including counselling and advisory services and eye care, childcare vouchers and salary sacrifice schemes.